Hearth-bed for fireplaces



(Nb modaux.) K

P. F. PARIS.

HBARTH BBD. FOB, PIREPLAGES. No. 558,374. l 7 Patented Apr; 14, 1896.

AN DREW E GRM-IAMA PMOTOMTDKI.WASHING-[UN4 D Cv UNITED STATESv PATENT OFFICE..

FREDERICK F. FARIS, OF VHEELIN G, VEST VIRGINIA.

H EARTH-BED FOR FIREPLACES.

SPECIFICATION forming* part 0f Letters Patent NO. 558,374, dated April 14, 1896. Application led December 14,1895. YSerial llo. 572,149. (No model.)

T0 all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK F. FARIs, a citizen of the United States,residing at Wheeling, in the county of Ohio and State of West Virginia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Hearth-Beds for Fireplaces, of which the following is a specification.

It is the object of this invention to improve the construction of the hearth-bed described in Letters Patent No. 518,100, granted to me April l0, 1894, wherein is shown a transversly curved or arched metal bed-plate supported at one side edge on a ledge or shoulder of the chimney-wall, while its opposite side edge binds against a joist or trimmer in front of the fireplace.

According to my present invention the ledge or shoulder on the chimney may be dispensed with, if preferred, as adequate provision is made for supporting the arched metal bed-plate by means of an iron rod fastened to the joists or trimmers at opposite sides of the iireplace in such manner as to keep the hearthbed from settling in case the chimney should do so; but it will be obvious that the chimneyledge and the rod may be employed together and thereby assist each other in supporting the hearth. The arched or transverselycurved metal bed-plate is preferably galvanized and may be made in either one or more pieces, so that when two or more pieces or sections are employed they may be overlapped more or less, and thus arranged to be adj usted on each other to suit any breadth of chimney.

My invention consists in the combination, with a transversely-curved metal bed-plate and a joist or trimmer against which the forward edge of said plate is adapted to bind, of a metal rod having its ends fastened to joists or trimmers and arranged beneath the bedplate to support it independently of the chimney, and, further, in the features of construction and novel combination of parts in a hearth-bed for fireplaces, as hereinafter described and claimed. v

In the annexed drawings, illustrating the invention, Figure l is a perspective of a transversely-curved metal bed-plate made in overlapping sections andprovided with its supporting-rod. Fig. 2 is a perspective showing a portion of a chimney with my improved metal bed-plate in position for constructing the hearth thereon. Fi g. 3 is a vertical transverse section through the hearth-bed and hearth, with a portion of the adjacent chimney and iiooring.

The reference-numeral l designates a portion of a chimney, and 2 the joists for supporting the iioor. Across the front of the chimney, at a suitable distance below the lireplace, may be constructed a ledge or shoulder 3 to assist in supporting the metal bed-plate 4 on which the hearth is to be built; but with my present improvements this ledge or shoulder is not essential.

It is preferable to construct the bed-plate 4 of galvanized metal to protect it from rust. This bed-plate is curved or bent transversely to form an arch when in position.

The bed-plate 4 may be corrugated,as shown in Fig. l, or it may be made plain or uncorrugated, as shown in Fig. 2; and it may be constructed in one or more pieces, as desired. If made in two pieces or more, the contiguous edges should be arranged to overlap in some degree, and thus the bed-plate may be readily lengthened or shortened according to the width of the chimney or the length of hearth to be constructed.

Along its upper or forward `edge the bedplate 4 is preferably provided with an upturned flange 5, through which it may be nailed to the joist or to a trimmer in front of the fireplace. The rear edge of the arched metal bed-plate may rest on the ledge or shoulder 3 of the chimney, but I do not depend on this ledge or shoulder as a means of support. In order to provide an independent support and prevent settling of the bed-plate, in case the chimney should settle, I connect an iron rod 7 to the bed-plate 4 and fasten the ends of the rod to the joists, or to trimmers 8 at the opposite sides of the chimney, as indicated in Fig. 2.

, The under side of the bed-plate 4 is provided with a series of loops or eyes 9, through which the rod 7 is passed. These loops 9 may be formed by stamping out the metal plate or pieces, or in any other appropriate manner. The ends of the rod 7 are hooked or bent downward, as shown in Fig. l, to engage in staples l0, driven into the trimmers or joists.

After the bed-plate 4 has been connected to its supporting-rod 7 the plate and rod may IOO be placed in position with the hooked ends of the rod engaged in the staples or fastenin gs lO and the forward edge of the pla-te abutting and binding against the joist or trimmer in front of the fireplace. lf desired, the Iiange 5 of the bed-plate may be nailed to the trinimer and the rear or lower edge of the arched plate may rest on the chimney ledge or shoulder but by means of its supporting-rod 7 the bed-plate Will be held securely in position independent of the chimney-ledge. The bedplate of the hearth is thus held up securely even should the chimney settle.

The arched metal bed-plate having been adjusted in position, the space above it is filled in With sand, concrete, or othei` suitable nonconducting material ll, as shown in Fig. 3, after which a hearth l2, of slate, tile, brick, or stone, may be put in place.

This construction furnishes a strong, durable, fireproof-base for a hearth and avoids employment of the usual Wooden boxing or framing. By making the arched metal bedplate in two or more overlapping pieces or sections it can be readily adjusted to the reqn irements of Variations in lengths of hearth's to be constructed, and the provision of an independent supporting-rod obviates any liability of the sinking of a hearth due to settling of the chimney.

lVhat I claim as my invention isl. An adjustable arched metal bed-plate for the hearth of a fireplace, said plate con1- posed of overlapping sections adapted to be adjustable on each other and provided with a supporting-rod adapted to be secured to the joists or trimmers, whereby the hearth may be supported independent of the chimney, substantially as described.

2. In a hearth, the combination of a transversely-curved metal bed-plate, a supportingrod connected to the bed-plate and fastened to the joists or trimmers at opposite sides of the chimney, and a joist or trimmer against Which the forward edge of the bed-plate binds, substantially as described.

In a hearth, the combination of a sectional metal bed-plate, a supporting-rod connected to the sections of said bed-plate and fastened to the joists or trimmers at opposite sides of the chimney, and a joist or trimmer against which the forward edge of the bedplate binds, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FREDERICK F. FARTS. lVitnesses:

J. B. SOMMERVILLE, Louis WALTERs. 

